Lew Lewis' Reformer:

Canvey Island R&B!

I received a mail message from knowledgeable reader Gordon Baxter who thought I should include Lew Lewis among my Knights. Excellent idea - so I quote his informative bio:
Lew Lewis played harp with Eddie & the Hot Rods just after they first started out (1975). He recorded a couple of singles with them ("Writing on the Wall"/"Cruisin' (in the Lincoln)" and "Wooly Bully"/"Horseplay (Wearier of the Schmaltz)") on Island Records in 1976, and then recorded a couple of singles under his own name: "Out for a Lark" on United Artists, and "Boogie on the Street"/"Caravan Man" on Stiff Records.

He then put together a very fine band which released an LP "Save The Wail" in the late 1970's which was also on Stiff records, and they had three singles too also on Stiff. They even got an appearance on Top of The Pops. He was a very good harp player, who was influenced mainly by Little Walter. They also had Johnny Squirrel on bass, and Buzz Barwell on drums (who later toured with Lee Brilleaux). Lew had a habit of giving out a harp to people in the audience when he played. I can confirm this, because he gave me one when they played at Middlesbrough Rock Garden almost twenty years ago.
They never had any major success, and folded in the early 80's.

Thanks, Gordon!

The following info nicked from the "New Rock Record" book (BLANDFORD PRESS):

Lineup 1977

Lew Lewis: vocals, harp
Pete Zear: guitar
Lee Green: guitar
Johnny Ocean: bass
Bob Clouter: drums
Lineup 1979

Lew Lewis: vocals, harp
Rick Taylor: guitar
Johnny Squirrel: bass
Buzz Barwell: drums
Lineup album 1979

Lew Lewis: vocals, harp
Rick Taylor: guitar
Gavin Povey: piano
Johnny Squirrel: bass
Buzz Barwell: drums


Albums:
"Save The Wail" STIFF SEEZ 16 (1979)
"Boogie On The Streets Again" VINYL JAPAN ASKCD 82 (CD 1999) being 17 tracks from BBC radio in concert sessions from '77 and '79. Includes "Lucky Seven" and "Win Or Lose".